News in brief

KOA has named T.Zed Architects as design lead for Canvas, its first mixed-use development and a showcase of its principles in terms of design, finish and facilities.

The project’s strength lies in creating diverse spaces to create something that is spatially unique and socially dynamic. Located near Mohammed bin Rashid Gardens, off the Emirates Road in Dubai, UAE, the development includes a co-working space, a multi-purpose amphitheatre and a gourmet market, lending itself to creating human engagement and social collaborations.

Each of the 70 apartments available within the Canvas building has sunset and Dubai city views. It offers studio, one-, two- and three-bedroom floor plans, and several layout options.

“The materials used in this project were inspired by the rich, lush eco-system surrounding the area,” says a spokesman for the project.

Water features, open planted-courtyards and natural light are used to enhance the whole landscape and the commitment to nature is continued in natural, stone, timber applications used throughout the exteriors and interiors. Sales of Canvas will launch in early 2017.

Shapoorji Pallonji wins Dubai hotel tower deal

Indian construction group Shapoorji Pallonji International has been awarded a major construction contract by Cayan Group for its upcoming hotel apartments project in Dubai, UAE.

The Cayan Arjaan Hotel Apartments project will have two towers – a residential and a hotel apartment – featuring more than 700 units in the form of studios and apartments ranging from one-bedroom to three-bedroom units, and penthouses.

The project will offer amenities such as retail spaces, restaurants, meeting rooms, gym, spa, and lounge.

It will offer extended-stays in a luxurious and comfortable atmosphere through the provision of fully equipped multi-bedroom hotel apartments serviced by 24-hour room service, and leisure facilities such as gyms and pools.

Cayan says the project will be launched in two stages at the strategic Umm Sequiem Road in Dubai.

Unveiling the project details, Ahmed Alhatti, the chairman of Cayan Group, says it has appointed Rotana Hotel Management as the hotel operator for the Cayan Arjaan Hotel Apartments project.

Mohan Saini, the managing director and chief executive of Shapoorji Pallonji International, says developing Cayan Cantara will be an exciting project, especially as the company “brings to life some of its architectural delights”.

Aldar opens Abu Dhabi villa community sales

Aldar Properties has announced the sale of its four- and five-bedroom modern villas within its West Yas development in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on a freehold basis to people of all nationalities.

West Yas is Aldar’s first villa community situated on the iconic Yas Island featuring an impressive array of community facilities, including a mosque built for 2,000 worshippers, two schools, a retail centre, sports facilities, a petrol station, and extensive landscaping and greenery in its wide, open public spaces.

The development boasts 1,000 four- and five-bedroom villas (ranging from 600 to 800 sq m in size) with attractive amenities at prices starting from Dh4.3 million ($1.17 million).

CEO Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak says: “We have witnessed significant demand for the enriched community living experience that West Yas offers.”

“Those interested in purchasing a home in West Yas can benefit from an attractive payment plan of 25 per cent during construction, and 75 per cent upon handover, with a minimum down payment of just five per cent of the purchase price,” he adds.

Infrastructure work is on track across all aspects of the development with much of it nearing completion, says Aldar.

The mosque, retail centre and recreational club were scheduled to be completed by the end of last year, and following an evaluation by the Urban Planning Council (UPC) in May, the project was awarded with a two Pearl rating, confirming its compliance with Estidama goals, it states.

The first school, operated by Aldar Academies, opened in August 2016.

Fontana unveils model apartments in Bahrain

Fontana Real Estate has announced the launch of mock-up apartments for its Fontana Suites, a modern residential building located in the Juffair area of Bahrain.

Fontana Suites comprises 373 units, with multiple options for either studio-style apartments through to one-, two- and three-bedroom suites. Each floor hosts a handful of apartments which translates into serene living.

Fontana Suites has already made its mark in lifestyle living in Juffair as it is equipped with the largest and only landscaped waterfall in a residential building in Bahrain, at 4 m tall and 16 m wide. The one-of-a-kind waterfall cascades from a 25-m Infinity Olympic pool into a plunge pool.

Fontana Suites also offers tenants an extensive living experience with full access to a health club, sky jogging track, sports halls, indoor pool, theatre, indoor and outdoor nursery and easy access from the highway to the tower.

A Redwood Park homeowner receives the keys to his house.

Redwood Park homes delivery starts

Jumeirah Golf Estates, one of the Middle East’s most prestigious residential golf communities, has started handing over the townhouses in the first phase of its Redwood Park development in Dubai, UAE.

Situated 15 minutes from The Palm and Dubai Marina, Jumeirah Golf Estates offers a wide range of world-class facilities and more than 1,700 individually designed homes (constructed and under construction) in the UAE.

It also boasts two championship golf courses, Fire and Earth, and luxury homes within easy reach of Dubai’s top attractions.

Phase One of Redwood Park, which is located on the edge of Jumeirah Golf Estates’ Fire golf course, comprises three- and four- bedroom townhouses offering buyers access to the full array of facilities across the community.

Bloom Properties, a Bloom Holding subsidiary, has delivered Phase Three of its Bloom Gardens master development prior to the scheduled hand-over in the first quarter of 2017.

One of the most prestigious residential addresses in Abu Dhabi in the UAE, Bloom Gardens Phase Three comprises a total of 147 residential units including three-bedroom townhouses, semi-detached three-bedroom villas, as well as four- and five-bedroom detached villas.

Sameh Muhtadi, CEO of Bloom Holding, says: “Following the successful delivery of Phase Two of Bloom Gardens ahead of time, Bloom has repeated the feat again through the handover of the third phase of Bloom Gardens community prior to the scheduled completion date. Its delivery ahead of schedule further underscores our continued commitment to providing our customers with high-quality living spaces built to the industry’s highest construction standards.”

Azizi launches a Star

Azizi Developments, a leading UAE-based real estate developer, announced the sales launch of its new development, Azizi Star, which will comprise residential, commercial and retail space.

Azizi Star’s fully furnished serviced apartments will have 458 residential and commercial units spread across an area of 62,382 sq ft. The 12-storey building with two podium levels, a ground and a basement level, will be composed of 46 one-bedroom, 102 two-bedroom units and 310 studios and is scheduled for completion in 2018.

Valued at Dh116 million ($31.5 million), the Dubai-based developer’s pre-sales for Azizi Star exceeded expectations ahead of its launch.

Farhad Azizi, CEO of Azizi Developments, says: “At Azizi, quality and convenience has been the core of our operations. We have 20 projects in various stages of development, and as a result, there is a large base of loyal customers who primarily invest with Azizi Developments. The pre-sales of Azizi Star demonstrate that the market for ‘affordable luxury’ in Dubai has reached unprecedented heights.”

Azizi Star is located in Al Furjan, which is in close proximity to iconic developments such as the Expo 2020 site.

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